Paulinho returns to Barcelona for training

The former Tottenahm midfielder was signed by the 'Blaugrana' in August 2017 for 40million Euros. He played one season in Spain, scoring nine goals and notching three assists and then returned to Guangzhou Evergrande on a loan deal with an obligation to buy for 50million Euros.

A strange series of events perhaps, but he is fondly remembered in Barcelona after his successful season at the Camp Nou. The 30-year-old returned to the club to visit and gave a brief interview to the club website. 

"I am very happy to see my ex-team mates and the staff again, I really appreciated the people at the Club," Paulinho explained.

"Barça always play well. When I can, I watch all their games and they’re doing very well,” he remarked.

The 55 times capped international then spoke about his countrymen in the squad:  "(Phillipe) Coutinho I know very well from Brazil and Barça, Arthur will surely do good things thanks to his quality and philosophy of play, while malcom is a young player with a bright future ahead.”

Looking back on his time in Catalonia he said: ''In the time that I played here, we won the League and the Cup, it made me very happy.”